Angiographic evidence of proliferative retinopathy predicts neuropsychiatric morbidity in diabetic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common vasculopathy categorized as either non-proliferative (NPDR) or proliferative (PDR),characterized by dysfunctional blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and diagnosed using fluorescein angiography (FA). Since the BRB is similar in structure and function to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and BBB dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of brain disorders, we hypothesized that PDR, the severe form of DR, is likely to mirror BBB damage and to predict a worse neuropsychiatric outcome. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among subjects with diabetes (N=2982) with FA-confirmed NPDR (N=2606) or PDR (N=376). Incidence and probability to develop brain pathologies and mortality were investigated in a 10-year follow-up study. We used Kaplan-Meier, Cox and logistic regression analyses to examine association between DR severity and neuropsychiatric morbidity adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Patients with PDR had significantly higher rates of all-cause brain pathologies (P<0.001), specifically stroke (P=0.005), epilepsy (P=0.006) and psychosis (P=0.024), and a shorter time to develop any neuropsychiatric event (P<0.001) or death (P=0.014) compared to NPDR. Cox adjusted hazard ratio for developing all-cause brain impairments was higher for PDR (HR=1.37, 95% CI 1.16-1.61, P<0.001) which was an independent predictor for all-cause brain impairments (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.04-1.64, P=0.022), epilepsy (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.05-4.41, P=0.035) and mortality (HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.06-1.70, P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to confirm that angiography-proven microvasculopathy identifies patients at high risk for neuropsychiatric morbidity and mortality.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) for subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To report the visual and anatomic outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) injections in the treatment of subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Interventional, consecutive, retrospective case series. Sixty-five eyes of 65 patients with subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) received three intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) injections. Outcome measures included visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and size of lesion at 24 or more weeks follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes had prior treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT). At presentation, VA was 1.12 +/- 0.62 logMAR, CRT was 305 +/- 115 microm, and greatest linear diameter (GLD) of the lesion was 4,902 +/- 1,861 microm. There was no statistically significant difference between previous PDT and naïve eyes in VA, CRT, and GLD at presentation. After three bevacizumab injections, VA, CRT, and GLD significantly improved (P < 0.0001 in all groups). There was no statistically significant difference between CRT and GLD outcomes and subfoveal neovascular membrane type or age. Eyes with better VA at baseline and without previous PDT treatment achieved better final VA (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.045, respectively). A classic membrane type and lower age were somewhat associated with better post-treatment VA. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab is well tolerated and associated with improvement in VA, decreased CRT, and decreased lesion size in most patients. The most important predictors of final VA outcomes were baseline VA and no previous PDT treatment. Further evaluation of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of subfoveal neovascular AMD is warranted.

Retinal laser injury during a laser show.

BACKGROUND: Laser injuries caused by Q-switched lasers are not unusual in the military and laboratories. To our knowledge, only one case of eye injury during a laser show has been reported previously. METHODS: Case series. RESULTS: All three patients had uniocular foveal hemorrhagic injury demonstrated by fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. The lesions resolved within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laser retinal injuries can cause transient or permanent visual damage. Accidental eye injuries during a laser show may be possible.

Bilateral acute anterior uveitis as a presenting symptom of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

CASE REPORT: To report a case of severe bilateral anterior uveitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae without pulmonary manifestations. COMMENTS: A healthy 5-year-old girl developed severe bilateral anterior uveitis accompanied by fever, arthralgia, gastrointestinal complaints, and lethargy. Results of laboratory investigations were normal except for high levels of Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies. The uveitis subsided with topical application of steroids, cycloplegia, and with oral azithromycin. Although Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a rare cause of uveitis, it should be considered in patients presenting with uveitis, even with no accompanying pulmonary or other typical systemic mycoplasmal manifestations.

Treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus using photodynamic therapy.

A 52-year-old man sought treatment for decreased vision in his right eye for 3 weeks. Visual acuity was 20/120. Examination revealed an elevated choroidal nevus at the posterior pole. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies disclosed fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment extending under the fovea. The patient was treated by two sessions of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Visual acuity improved to 20/40. The fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment area diminished and the fovea is clear of lesion. Seven months after the last treatment, visual acuity remains stable. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin could be an effective option for treating subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to choroidal nevus.

Punctate inner choroidopathy: resolution after oral steroid treatment and review of the literature.

CASE REPORT: A case of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) that resolved after oral steroid treatment is described. The 25-year-old female patient presented with reduced visual acuity of several days duration. Results of fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were consistent with PIC with a small choroidal neovascularization lesion nasal to the fovea. Visual acuity improved significantly after several days on oral steroid treatment. COMMENTS: Although spontaneous resolution of the lesions can occur without any treatment, oral steroids in PIC may help achieve improved vision more rapidly. The clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic modalities of this rare entity are discussed.

Attempted bilateral manual enucleation (gouging) during a physical assault.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare, severe case of partial traumatic bilateral enucleation and its assessment and management. DESIGN: Case report and literature review. METHODS: A report of clinical and imaging findings, surgical procedure, medical treatment, and final outcome. RESULTS: Complete avulsion of the extraocular muscles and optic nerve resulted in total loss of vision in one eye. Partial visual recovery was achieved by operating on the fellow eye, which was partially avulsed. Both eyes underwent lateral canthotomy in the emergency room. This was followed by exploration, repair of all ruptured extraocular muscles, and anterior chamber tap under general anesthesia. The few previously reported cases of traumatic manual avulsion of the globe are reviewed and discussed in the context of the present case. CONCLUSIONS: Partial visual recovery can be achieved after severe orbital and optic nerve trauma. A multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of these patients is recommended.